Arklow RNLI shines a light following suspected flare sighting

Following reports of a distress Flare being sighted off the coast of Arklow, lifeboat crew's pagers were activated at 10.20 pm on Saturday (11 April) and within a few minutes Arklow RNLi's all-weather lifeboat Ger Tigchlearr was launched and underway.

Initial reports suggested the sighting was South of Arklow and the lifeboat proceeded on a southerly track. With a number of fishing vessels working in the area lifeboat crew checked with them if they had launched the flare and were in distress. None had done so but they reported a sighting further North.

In night time conditions, Arklow lifeboat proceeded on a track North with full beam searchlights and all hands searching the darkness. With nothing yet located it was decided to deploy two white illumination flares to aid in location of any potential casualty vessel or persons.

Later in the search lifeboat crew were joined by Rescue 117, the Irish Coast Guard helicopter from Waterford, who had been on scene at an incident in Wexford Harbour immediately prior to joining the search, Coast Guard Shore Crews from Arklow and Courtown also joined the search on the land.

Following a lengthy search by all involved and with nothing located the search was stood down and all hands returned safely.

Following the search, Mark Corcoran- Arklow RNLI Press Officer and Community Safety Officer said, 'As always our volunteers responded quickly to the reported flare sighting, I’d like to pay tribute to all who responded and were involved in this search. Despite the current restrictions, all of our volunteers are continuing to put themselves on the frontline. This sighting may have been a Chinese Lantern or indeed someone letting off a flare in good faith and while this would have been done with good intent, we would ask people to refrain from this to avoid further false alarms and the need for our volunteers to be put at risk.'

Ends

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For more information please contact Mark Corcoran, Arklow RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 0868260439, email [email protected] or contact Nuala McAloon RNLI Press Officer on 087 648 3547 or email [email protected] or Niamh Stephenson RNLI Public Relations Manager on 087 1254 124 or 01 8900 460 email [email protected]

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The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the Ireland and the UK. The RNLI operates over 230 lifeboat stations with 44 in Ireland. The RNLI is independent of the Coast Guard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 137,000 lives. The RNLI is a charity registered in England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

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Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

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